Guard

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

Guard, v. t. [OF. guarder, garder, warder, F. garder, fr. OHG. wartn to be on the watch, await, G. marten. See Ward, v. & n., and cf. Guard, n.].

•  To protect from danger; to secure against surprise, attack, or injury; to keep in safety; to defend; to shelter; to shield from surprise or attack; to protect by attendance; to accompany for protection; to care for.  [1913 Webster]

  "For Heaven still guards the right."  [1913 Webster]
•  To keep watch over, in order to prevent escape or restrain from acts of violence, or the like.  [1913 Webster]
•  To protect the edge of, esp. with an ornamental border; hence, to face or ornament with lists, laces, etc.
•  To fasten by binding; to gird.  B. Jonson.

Syn. -- To defend; protect; shield; keep; watch.

Guard, v. i. 

 To watch by way of caution or defense; to be cautious; to be in a state or position of defense or safety; as, careful persons guard against mistakes.  [1913 Webster]

Guard, n. [OF. guarde, F. garde; of German origin; cf. OHG. wart, warto, one who watches, warta a watching, Goth. wardja watchman. See Guard, v. t.].

•  One who, or that which, guards from injury, danger, exposure, or attack; defense; protection.  [1913 Webster]

  "His greatness was no guard to bar heaven's shaft."  [1913 Webster]
•  A man, or body of men, stationed to protect or control a person or position; a watch; a sentinel.  [1913 Webster]

  "The guard which kept the door of the king's house."  [1913 Webster]
•  One who has charge of a mail coach or a railway train; a conductor.  [1913 Webster]
•  Any fixture or attachment designed to protect or secure against injury, soiling, or defacement, theft or loss  [1913 Webster]
•  A posture of defense in fencing, and in bayonet and saber exercise.  [1913 Webster]
•  An expression or admission intended to secure against objections or censure.  [1913 Webster]

  "They have expressed themselves with as few guards and restrictions as I."  [1913 Webster]
•  Watch; heed; care; attention; as, to keep guard.  [1913 Webster]
•  The fibrous sheath which covers the phragmacone of the Belemnites.  [1913 Webster]

  " Guard is often used adjectively or in combination; as, guard boat or guardboat; guardroom or guard room; guard duty."  [1913 Webster]

Advanced guard, Coast guard, etc. See under Advanced, Coast, etc. -- Grand guard (Mil.), one of the posts of the second line belonging to a system of advance posts of an army. Mahan. -- Guard boat. (a) A boat appointed to row the rounds among ships of war in a harbor, to see that their officers keep a good lookout. (b) A boat used by harbor authorities to enforce the observance of quarantine regulations. -- Guard cells (Bot.), the bordering cells of stomates; they are crescent-shaped and contain chlorophyll. -- Guard chamber, a guardroom. -- Guard detail (Mil.), men from a company regiment etc., detailed for guard duty. -- Guard duty (Mil.), the duty of watching patrolling, etc., performed by a sentinel or sentinels. -- Guard lock (Engin.), a tide lock at the mouth of a dock or basin. -- Guard of honor (Mil.), a guard appointed to receive or to accompany eminent persons. -- Guard rail (Railroads), a rail placed on the inside of a main rail, on bridges, at switches, etc., as a safeguard against derailment. -- Guard ship, a war vessel appointed to superintend the marine affairs in a harbor, and also, in the English service, to receive seamen till they can be distributed among their respective ships. -- Life guard (Mil.), a body of select troops attending the person of a prince or high officer. -- Off one's guard, in a careless state; inattentive; unsuspicious of danger. -- On guard, serving in the capacity of a guard; doing duty as a guard or sentinel; watching. -- On one's guard, in a watchful state; alert; vigilant. -- To mount guard (Mil.), to go on duty as a guard or sentinel. -- To run the guard, to pass the watch or sentinel without leave.

Syn. -- Defense; shield; protection; safeguard; convoy; escort; care; attention; watch; heed.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Guard, v. & n.
--v.
1 tr. (often foll. by from, against) watch over and defend or protect from harm.
2 tr. keep watch by (a door etc.) so as to control entry or exit.
3 tr. supervise (prisoners etc.) and prevent from escaping.
4 tr. provide (machinery) with a protective device.
5 tr. keep (thoughts or speech) in check.
6 tr. provide with safeguards.
7 intr. (foll. by against) take precautions.
8 tr. (in various games) protect (a piece, card, etc.) with set moves.
--n.
1 a state of vigilance or watchfulness.
2 a person who protects or keeps watch.
3 a body of soldiers etc. serving to protect a place or person; an escort.
4 US a prison warder.
5 a part of an army detached for some purpose (advance guard).
6 (in pl.) (usu. Guards) any of various bodies of troops nominally employed to guard a monarch.
7 a thing that protects or defends.
8 (often in comb.) a device fitted to a machine, vehicle, weapon, etc., to prevent injury or accident to the user (fire-guard).
9 Brit. an official who rides with and is in general charge of a train.
10 in some sports: a a protective or defensive player. b a defensive posture or motion.

Idiom

be on (or keep or stand) guard (of a sentry etc.) keep watch. guard cell Bot. either of a pair of cells surrounding the stomata in plants. guard-rail a rail, e.g. a handrail, fitted as a support or to prevent an accident. guard ring Electronics a ring-shaped electrode used to limit the extent of an electric field, esp. in a capacitor. guard's van Brit. a coach or compartment occupied by a guard. lower one's guard reduce vigilance against attack. off (or off one's) guard unprepared for some surprise or difficulty. on (or on one's) guard prepared for all contingencies; vigilant. raise one's guard become vigilant against attack.

Derivative

guarder n. guardless adj.

Etymology

ME f. OF garde, garder ult. f. WG, rel. to WARD n.

THESAURUS

Guard

Coldstream Guards, Foot Guards, Grenadier Guards, Life Guards, Scots Guards, accompany, advance guard, advocate, aegis, amateur athlete, apologist, archer, arm, arm guard, armament, armed guard, armor, arrest, athlete, attend, avoidance reaction, backstop, baggage man, bakehead, ballplayer, bank guard, baseballer, baseman, batter, battery, beefeaters, bless, blocking back, bodyguard, bowman, brakeman, brakie, bridle, buffer, bull, bulwark, bumper, butcher, catcher, cavalier, center, champion, chaperon, check, cloak, coach, coast guard, commandant, companion, compass about, competitor, conduct, conductor, conserve, constrain, contain, contraceptive, control, convoy, cool, cool off, copyright, cordon, cordon sanitaire, cover, crash helmet, cricketer, curb, curtail, cushion, custodian, custodianship, custody, dashboard, decelerate, defence, defend, defender, defense, defense in depth, defense mechanism, defenses, defensive lineman, deterrent capacity, dispatcher, dodger, dompt, duenna, eagle eye, ego defenses, end, enjoin, ensure, escape mechanism, escort, esquire, eye, face mask, fellow traveler, fence, fend, fender, finger guard, fireman, flank, foot guard, footballer, footplate man, fuse, games-player, gamester, gaoler, garrison, gentleman-at-arms, goalie, goalkeeper, goaltender, goggles, govern, governor, guarantee, guard against, guardedness, guarder, guardian, guardianship, guardrail, guards, guardsman, guide, hand guard, handrail, harbor, hard hat, haven, helmet, hinder, hold at bay, hold back, hold fast, hold in, hold in check, hold in leash, hold up, household troops, infielder, inhibit, inlying picket, insulation, insure, interlock, invigilation, jailer, jock, jumper, keep, keep alive, keep back, keep from, keep from harm, keep in, keep in check, keep intact, keep inviolate, keep safe, keep under control, keep up, keep watch over, keeper, knee guard, knuckle guard, laminated glass, lay under restraint, lead, lee, life preserver, lifeline, lightning conductor, lightning rod, lineman, look after, lookout, maintain, make safe, marshal, mask, mind, monitoring, mudguard, negative taxis, nestle, nose guard, not destroy, not endanger, not expend, not use up, not waste, observance, offensive lineman, outfield, outfielder, outguard, outpost, pad, padding, paladin, palladium, patent, patrol, patrolman, peeled eye, picket, pilot, player, police, poloist, porter, praetorian guard, preservation, preserve, preventive, principal keeper, prison guard, proctoring, professional athlete, prohibit, prophylactic, protect, protection, protective clothing, protective custody, protective umbrella, protector, prudence, psychological defenses, pugilist, pull, pull in, quarterback, qui vive, racer, railroad man, railroader, rear guard, redcap, refuge, register, rein, rein in, resistance, restrain, retard, retrench, ride shotgun for, safe-conduct, safeguard, safekeeping, safety, safety glass, safety plug, safety rail, safety shoes, safety switch, safety valve, save, screen, screw, seat belt, secure, security, security guard, self-defense, self-preservation, self-protection, sentinel, sentry, set back, shade, shadow, sharp eye, shelter, shepherd, shield, shin guard, shroud, skater, slow down, smoke agent, snub, spare, sport, sportsman, squire, stationmaster, stewardship, stoker, straiten, sun helmet, support, supporter, surveillance, sustain, swain, switchman, tackle, tailback, take out, tend, the defensive, toxophilite, train guard, trainboy, trainman, trainmaster, turnkey, umbrella, underwrite, uphold, upholder, usher, van, vanguard, vigil, vigilance, vindicator, wait on, ward, warden, warder, wariness, watch, watch and ward, watchful eye, watchfulness, watching, watchman, weather eye, windscreen, windshield, wingback, withhold, wrestler, yardman, yardmaster, yeoman

ROGET THESAURUS

Guard

Safety

N safety, security, surety, impregnability, invulnerability, invulnerableness, danger past, danger over, storm blown over, coast clear, escape, means of escape, blow valve, safety valve, release valve, sniffing valve, safeguard, palladium, guardianship, wardship, wardenship, tutelage, custody, safekeeping, preservation, protection, auspices, safe-conduct, escort, convoy, guard, shield, guardian angel, tutelary god, tutelary deity, tutelary saint, genius loci, protector, guardian, warden, warder, preserver, custodian, duenna, chaperon, third person, watchdog, bandog, Cerberus, watchman, patrolman, policeman, cop, dick, fuzz, smokey, peeler, zarp, sentinel, sentry, scout, garrison, guardship, refuge &c, anchor, precaution, quarantine, cordon sanitaire, confidence, protect, take care of, preserve, cover, screen, shelter, shroud, flank, ward, guard, secure, entrench, intrench, fence round, house, nestle, ensconce, take charge of, escort, convoy, garrison, watch, mount guard, patrol, make assurance doubly sure, take up a loose thread, take precautions, double reef topsails, seek safety, take shelter, find shelter, Adj, safe, secure, sure, in safety, in security, on the safe side, under the shield of, under the shade of, under the wing of, under the shadow of one's wing, under cover, under lock and key, out of danger, out of the woods, out of the meshes, out of harm's way, unharmed, unscathed, on sure ground, at anchor, high and dry, above water, unthreatened, unmolested, protected, cavendo tutus, panoplied, snug, seaworthy, weatherproof, waterproof, fireproof, defensible, tenable, proof against, invulnerable, unassailable, unattackable, impenetrable, impregnable, imperdible, inexpugnable, Achillean, safe and sound, scathless, unhazarded, not dangerous, unthreatening, harmless, friendly (cooperative), protecting, protective, guardian, tutelary, preservative, trustworthy, ex abundanti cautela, with impunity, all's well, salva res est, suave mari magno, a couvert, e terra alterius spectare laborem, Dieu vous garde, safety, security, surety, impregnability, invulnerability, invulnerableness, danger past, danger over, storm blown over, coast clear, escape, means of escape, blow valve, safety valve, release valve, sniffing valve, safeguard, palladium, guardianship, wardship, wardenship, tutelage, custody, safekeeping, preservation, protection, auspices, safe-conduct, escort, convoy, guard, shield, guardian angel, tutelary god, tutelary deity, tutelary saint, genius loci, protector, guardian, warden, warder, preserver, custodian, duenna, chaperon, third person, watchdog, bandog, Cerberus, watchman, patrolman, policeman, cop, dick, fuzz, smokey, peeler, zarp, sentinel, sentry, scout, garrison, guardship, refuge &c, anchor, precaution, quarantine, cordon sanitaire, confidence, protect, take care of, preserve, cover, screen, shelter, shroud, flank, ward, guard, secure, entrench, intrench, fence round, house, nestle, ensconce, take charge of, escort, convoy, garrison, watch, mount guard, patrol, make assurance doubly sure, take up a loose thread, take precautions, double reef topsails, seek safety, take shelter, find shelter, Adj, safe, secure, sure, in safety, in security, on the safe side, under the shield of, under the shade of, under the wing of, under the shadow of one's wing, under cover, under lock and key, out of danger, out of the woods, out of the meshes, out of harm's way, unharmed, unscathed, on sure ground, at anchor, high and dry, above water, unthreatened, unmolested, protected, cavendo tutus, panoplied, snug, seaworthy, weatherproof, waterproof, fireproof, defensible, tenable, proof against, invulnerable, unassailable, unattackable, impenetrable, impregnable, imperdible, inexpugnable, Achillean, safe and sound, scathless, unhazarded, not dangerous, unthreatening, harmless, friendly (cooperative), protecting, protective, guardian, tutelary, preservative, trustworthy, ex abundanti cautela, with impunity, all's well, salva res est, suave mari magno, a couvert, e terra alterius spectare laborem, Dieu vous garde.

VB be safe, keep one's head above water, tide over, save one's bacon, ride out the storm, weather the storm, light upon one's feet, land on one's feet, bear a charmed life, escape, make safe, render safe Adj, protect, take care of, preserve, cover, screen, shelter, shroud, flank, ward, guard, secure, entrench, intrench, fence round, house, nestle, ensconce, take charge of, escort, convoy, garrison, watch, mount guard, patrol, make assurance doubly sure, take up a loose thread, take precautions, double reef topsails, seek safety, take shelter, find shelter.

Preservation

VB preserve, maintain, keep, sustain, support, hold, keep up, keep alive, refrigerate, keep on ice, not willingly let die, bank up, nurse, save, rescue, be safe, make safe, take care of, guard, stare super antiquas vias, hold one's own, hold one's ground, stand one's ground, embalm, cure, salt, pickle, season, kyanize, bottle, pot, tin, can, sterilize, pasteurize, radiate, dry, lyophilize, freeze- dry, concentrate, evaporate, freeze, quick-freeze, deep-freeze, husband.

Defense

N defense, protection, guard, ward, shielding, propugnation, preservation, guardianship, area defense, site defense, self-defense, self-preservation, resistance, safeguard, balistraria, bunker, screen, camouflage, fortification, munition, muniment, trench, foxhole, bulwark, fosse, moat, ditch, entrenchment, intrenchment, kila, dike, dyke, parapet, sunk fence, embankment, mound, mole, bank, sandbag, revetment, earth work, field- work, fence, wall dead wall, contravallation, paling, palisade, haha, stockade, stoccado, laager, sangar, barrier, barricade, boom, portcullis, chevaux de frise, abatis, abattis, abbatis, vallum, circumvallation, battlement, rampart, scarp, escarp, counter-scarp, glacis, casemate, vallation, vanfos, buttress, abutment, shore, breastwork, banquette, curtain, mantlet, bastion, redan, ravelin, vauntmure, advance work, horn work, outwork, barbacan, barbican, redoubt, fort-elage, fort-alice, lines, loophole, machicolation, sally port, hold, stronghold, fastness, asylum, keep, donjon, dungeon, fortress, citadel, capitol, castle, tower of strength, tower of strength, fort, barracoon, pah, sconce, martello tower, peelhouse, blockhouse, rath, wooden walls, bulletproof vest, armored vest, buffer, corner stone, fender, apron, mask, gauntlet, thimble, carapace, armor, shield, buckler, aegis, breastplate, backplate, cowcatcher, face guard, scutum, cuirass, habergeon, mail, coat of mail, brigandine, hauberk, lorication, helmet, helm, bassinet, salade, heaume, morion, murrion, armet, cabaset, vizor, casquetel, siege cap, headpiece, casque, pickelhaube, vambrace, shako, bearskin, panoply, truncheon, garrison, picket, piquet, defender, protector, guardian, bodyguard, champion, knight-errant, Paladin, propugner, bulletproof window, hardened site, defending, defensive, mural, armed, armed at all points, armed cap-a-pie, armed to the teeth, panoplied, iron-plated, ironclad, loopholed, castellated, machicolated, casemated, defended, proof against, armored, ballproof, bulletproof, hardened, defensively, on the defense, on the defensive, in defense, at bay, pro aris et focis, Int, no surrender!, defense not defiance, Dieu defend le droit, fidei defensor, defender of the faith.

VB defend, forfend, fend, shield, screen, shroud, engarrison, fend round, fence, entrench, intrench, guard, guard against, take care of, bear harmless, fend off, keep off, ward off, beat off, beat back, hinder, parry, repel, propugn, put to flight, give a warm reception to, hold at bay, keep at bay, keep arm's length, stand on the defensive, act on the defensive, show fight, maintain one's ground, stand one's ground, stand by, hold one's own, bear the brunt, stand the brunt, fall back upon, hold, stand in the gap.

Combatant

N combatant, disputant, controversialist, polemic, litigant, belligerent, competitor, rival, corrival, fighter, assailant, champion, Paladin, mosstrooper, swashbuckler fire eater, duelist, bully, bludgeon man, rough, prize fighter, pugilist, boxer, bruiser, the fancy, gladiator, athlete, wrestler, fighting-cock, game-cock, warrior, soldier, fighting man, Amazon, man at arms, armigerent, campaigner, veteran, swordsman, sabreur, redcoat, military man, Rajput, armed force, troops, soldiery, military forces, sabaoth, the army, standing army, regulars, the line, troops of the line, militia, yeomanry, volunteers, trainband, fencible, auxiliary, bersagliere, brave, garde-nationale, garde-royale, minuteman, auxiliary forces, reserve forces, reserves, posse comitatus, national guard, gendarme, beefeater, guards, guardsman, yeomen of the guard, life guards, household troops, janissary, myrmidon, Mama, Mameluke, spahee, spahi, Cossack, Croat, Pandoz, irregular, guerilla, partisan, condottiere, franctireur, tirailleur, bashi-bazouk, vietminh, vietcong, shining path, contras, huk, hukbalahap, mercenary, soldier of fortune, hired gun, gunfighter, gunslinger, bushwhacker, free lance, companion, Hessian, hit man torpedo, soldier, levy, draught, Landwehr, Landsturm, conscript, recruit, cadet, raw levies, infantry, infantryman, private, private soldier, foot soldier, Tommy Atkins, rank and file, peon, trooper, sepoy, legionnaire, legionary, cannon fodder, food for powder, officer, subaltern, ensign, standard bearer, spearman, pikeman, spear bearer, halberdier, lancer, musketeer, carabineer, rifleman, jager, sharpshooter, yager, skirmisher, grenadier, fusileer, archer, bowman, horse and foot, horse soldier, cavalry, horse, artillery, horse artillery, light horse, voltigeur, uhlan, mounted rifles, dragoon, hussar, light dragoon, heavy dragoon, heavy, cuirassier, Foot Guards, Horse Guards, gunner, cannoneer, bombardier, artilleryman, matross, sapper, sapper and miner, engineer, light infantry, rifles, chasseur, zouave, military train, coolie, army, corps d'armee, host, division, battalia, column, wing, detachment, garrison, flying column, brigade, regiment, corps, battalion, sotnia, squadron, company, platoon, battery, subdivision, section, squad, piquet, picket, guard, rank, file, legion, phalanx, cohort, cloud of skirmishers, war horse, charger, destrier, marine, man-of-war's man, navy, wooden walls, naval forces, fleet, flotilla, armada, squadron, man-of-war, destroyer, submarine, minesweeper, torpedo-boat, torpedo-destroyer, patrol torpedo boat, PT boat, torpedo- catcher, war castle, H, M, S, battleship, battle wagon, dreadnought, line of battle ship, ship of the line, aircraft carrier, carrier, flattop, helicopter carrier, missile platform, missile boat, ironclad, turret ship, ram, monitor, floating battery, first- rate, frigate, sloop of war, corvette, gunboat, bomb vessel, flagship, guard ship, cruiser, armored cruiser, protected cruiser, privateer, tender, store ship, troop ship, transport, catamaran, merchant marine.

Keeper

N keeper, custodian, custos, ranger, warder, jailer, gaoler, turnkey, castellan, guard, watchdog, watchman, Charley, chokidar, durwan, hayward, sentry, sentinel, watch and ward, concierge, coast guard, guarda costa, game keeper, escort, bodyguard, protector, governor, duenna, guardian, governess, nurse, nanny, babysitter, catsitter, dogsitter, bonne, ayah.

Traveler

N traveler, wayfarer, voyager, itinerant, passenger, commuter, tourist, excursionist, explorer, adventurer, mountaineer, hiker, backpacker, Alpine Club, peregrinator, wanderer, rover, straggler, rambler, bird of passage, gadabout, gadling, vagrant, scatterling, landloper, waifs and estrays, wastrel, foundling, loafer, tramp, tramper, vagabond, nomad, Bohemian, gypsy, Arab, Wandering Jew, Hadji, pilgrim, palmer, peripatetic, somnambulist, emigrant, fugitive, refugee, beach comber, booly, globegirdler, globetrotter, vagrant, hobo, night walker, sleep walker, noctambulist, runabout, straphanger, swagman, swagsman, trecker, trekker, zingano, zingaro, runner, courier, Mercury, Iris, Ariel, comet, pedestrian, walker, foot passenger, cyclist, wheelman, rider, horseman, equestrian, cavalier, jockey, roughrider, trainer, breaker, driver, coachman, whip, Jehu, charioteer, postilion, postboy, carter, wagoner, drayman, cabman, cabdriver, voiturier, vetturino, condottiere, engine driver, stoker, fireman, guard, chauffeur, conductor, engineer, gharry-wallah, gari-wala, hackman, syce, truckman, on the road.